Maryland paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | Ten brackets from 2% to 6.5%, plus a county income tax everywhere in the state |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | A standard deduction of $3,350 (single) or $6,700 (married filing jointly); A $3,200 personal exemption per person that phases out at higher incomes |
| State payroll taxes | None paid by employees |
| Local income taxes | Every Maryland county and Baltimore City levies a local income tax on residents: 2.25% (Worcester) to 3.30% (Dorchester and Kent) in 2026, and 3.20% in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Montgomery, Prince George's and eight other counties. The calculator above starts with 3.20%, the rate in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Montgomery, Prince George’s and eight other counties; change it to your own rate. |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 6.00% average combined rate — Maryland sales tax calculator |
How Maryland taxes your paycheck
Ten brackets from 2% to 6.5%, plus a county income tax everywhere in the state. The calculation starts from federal adjusted gross income with Maryland modifications, and filers get a standard deduction of $3,350 (single) or $6,700 (married filing jointly) and a $3,200 personal exemption per person that phases out at higher incomes. Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your Maryland return.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Maryland
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| Maryland income tax | −$104.76 | −$2,723.88 |
| County income tax (3.2%) | −$71.94 | −$1,870.40 |
| Take-home pay | $1,915.89 | $49,813.23 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Maryland: $65,000 − $3,350 standard deduction − $3,200 personal exemption = $58,450 taxable; the brackets give $2,723.88 (4.19% of pay).
County tax: 3.2% × $58,450 of Maryland taxable income = $1,870.40 (3.20%, the rate in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Montgomery, Prince George’s and eight other counties).
All taxes together take 23.4% of gross pay, leaving $49,813.23.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Maryland
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | MD income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $31,713 | $1,219.74 | $1,536 | 20.7% | $34,074 |
| $50,000 | $38,953 | $1,498.20 | $2,011 | 22.1% | $41,514 |
| $65,000 | $49,813 | $1,915.89 | $2,724 | 23.4% | $52,514 |
| $80,000 | $59,323 | $2,281.66 | $3,436 | 25.8% | $63,374 |
| $100,000 | $71,803 | $2,761.66 | $4,386 | 28.2% | $77,854 |
| $150,000 | $102,082 | $3,926.22 | $7,042 | 31.9% | $112,354 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and the 3.2% county rate. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax, county tax and state payroll contributions.
Maryland compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Maryland ranks 50 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, District of Columbia, Virginia and Delaware would leave you more each year.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $4,594 | $0 | $49,813 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $1,996 | $46 | $52,367 | +$2,553 |
| Delaware | $2,949 | $260 | $51,199 | +$1,385 |
| Virginia | $2,923 | $0 | $51,484 | +$1,671 |
| West Virginia | $2,088 | $0 | $52,320 | +$2,506 |
| District of Columbia | $2,850 | $0 | $51,558 | +$1,744 |
Good to know about Maryland paychecks
- Maryland added 6.25% and 6.5% brackets for income over $500,000 and $1 million ($600,000 and $1.2 million for joint filers) starting in 2025, plus a 2% surtax on capital gains when income exceeds $350,000.
- Maryland's paid family and medical leave contributions start January 1, 2027 (0.9% of wages, split evenly), so nothing is withheld for it in 2026.
Maryland’s flat standard deduction is indexed starting in 2026, but the 2026 amount wasn’t published when we checked; the 2025 amounts ($3,350 single, $6,700 joint) are used.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Maryland?
About $49,813 a year, or $1,915.89 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare, $2,724 of Maryland income tax and $1,870 of county income tax at 3.2%. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $52,514.
Does Maryland have a state income tax?
Yes. Ten brackets from 2% to 6.5%, plus a county income tax everywhere in the state. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $2,724 a year, 4.19% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Maryland?
Nothing else statewide: Maryland has no employee-paid disability, paid-leave or unemployment payroll tax, so the other deductions are federal taxes and whatever you elect, such as retirement savings or health premiums.
Do cities or counties in Maryland tax wages?
Every Maryland county and Baltimore City levies a local income tax on residents: 2.25% (Worcester) to 3.30% (Dorchester and Kent) in 2026, and 3.20% in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Montgomery, Prince George's and eight other counties.
Is take-home pay higher in Maryland or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Maryland ranks 50 of 51 for take-home pay at $49,813. Pennsylvania ($52,367), West Virginia ($52,320) and District of Columbia ($51,558) leave more.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Maryland withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Maryland income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026); Md. Tax-General §10-105; Comptroller of Maryland 2026 withholding guide (county rates). Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.